Blood transfusion and dermatology.

Blood transfusion is an accepted therapeutic procedure in all specialties of medicine. In dermatology, specialized techniques like plasmapheresis and extracorporeal photochemotherapy have provided a good treatment option in immune-mediated disorders like bullous dermatoses, collagen vascular diseases and cutaneous lymphomas. Other anecdotal and less substantiated reports point to its use in chronic disorders like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Untoward dermatological manifestations include mainly purpuric rash and GVHD. Since planned studies may not be possible, pertinent observations from chance situations on the effect of blood transfusion in dermatoses would add valuable information.